momentarily

[ moh-muhn-tair-uh-lee, moh-muhn-ter- ]

adverb

1. for a moment; briefly:

   to pause momentarily.

2. at any moment; imminently:

   expected to occur momentarily.

3. Now Rare. instantly.

momentarily

/ -trɪlɪ; ˈməʊməntərəlɪ /

adverb

1. for an instant; temporarily
2. from moment to moment; every instant
3. very soon

Word History and Origins

Origin of momentarily¹

First recorded in 1645–55; momentary + -ly

Example Sentences

When she reaches the fan, Gaga stops momentarily, letting her props fall to the ground.

From Salon

Disneyland guests were momentarily evacuated from New Orleans Square Saturday evening when a naked man exposed himself to parkgoers.

From Los Angeles Times

Whenever he discovers some pretty little thing, the frame momentarily transforms into a commercial for excess, with a gleaming image of his unearthed treasure floating onscreen as a heavenly glissando tinkles in the background.

From Salon

Being momentarily trapped in a tight space was still briefly terrifying and even a little thrilling, but most of all, it was real.

From Salon

It turned out that the used needles actually belonged to the owners of a diabetic cat named Trotsky, who’d momentarily left their rubbish unattended only for it to spill over and be photographed by reporters.

From Salon

Related Words

• briefly
• immediately
• instantly
• temporarily